St. Louis City's terrific first season in Major League Soccer has hit a roadblock as Designated Players Joao Klauss and Eduard Lowen suffer injuries.
St. Louis has enjoyed an impressive season thus far, managing first place in the Western Conference standings on goal difference with 29 points from 17 games played. They've scored the third most goals in MLS (34) and have toppled the likes of San Jose Earthquakes and current Supporters' Shield leaders FC Cincinnati 5-1 back in April.
But the 2023 campaign took a sharp turn for St. Louis, as the team has gone winless in their last three games. And now, the team will now be without designated players Eduard Lowen, who was unavailable in their 3-1 defeat to Nashville, and Joao Klauss for the next several weeks.
Klauss will be sidelined for roughly four weeks after picking up a quad injury. He's been crucial for the team, scoring five goals as St. Louis' target man up front. Just behind him on the field as a midfielder, Lowen is set to miss four to six weeks also with a quad injury. He's contributed five goals and three assists in 2023.
In the meantime, St. Louis head coach Bradley Carnell will look to lean on Nicholas Gioacchini and Jared Stroud.
Gioacchini primarily plays up front and has no difficulties finding the back of the net as he's scored seven goals in the 2023 season. Likewise, Stroud can shoulder some of the playmaking responsibilities as he has seven goal involvements this campaign.
"We have to be a little bit flexible and it started with the game plan against Nashville, playing with the midfield that we did," Carnell stated.
"We thought that we were quite productive and putting guys in spots and getting guys like Indy to do double, both jobs – six and an eight and a 10. Jared Stroud, same thing – six and eight and a 10. So, we enjoyed that. We liked what we saw, and then with Indy (Indiana Vassilev) as a double six can always operate."
Despite being shorthanded, St. Louis will aim to get back on track when they host Real Salt Lake on June 21 in MLS play.
This article was originally published on 90min as St. Louis City dealt major injury blow with Joao Klauss and Eduard Lowen sidelined.
